Summaries of health policy coverage from major news organizations

Republican Presidential Hopefuls Vie For Conservative Votes

Following the latest GOP presidential debate, the candidates' campaign trail tone shifted to the right while Carly Fiorina jump to second in CNN's latest poll. The former California candidate for U.S. Senate also played down criticism of a series of sting videos on Planned Parenthood. Another Republican presidential hopeful, N.J. Gov. Chris Christie, says Congress should defund Planned Parenthood, despite President Barack Obama's veto threats.

The Associated Press:
Republicans Jockey For Conservative Credibility
Setting aside personality clashes for a night, the Republican Party’s 2016 contest shifted to substance Friday as a slate of White House hopefuls vowed to steer the nation sharply to the right as they courted conservatives in battleground South Carolina. ... [Wisconsin Gov. Scott] Walker also called for congressional Republicans to strip federal funding from Planned Parenthood even if it causes a government shutdown. He suggested that Senate Republicans use the so-called “nuclear option” to bypass filibuster rules that often require 60 votes to proceed on contentious issues. “We don’t have to play by those rules,” Walker said. (Peoples and Barrow, 9/18)

The Wall Street Journal's Washington Wire:
Carly Fiorina Jumps To No. 2 In CNN Poll, Keeps Focus On Abortion Issue
Republican presidential candidate Carly Fiorina, suddenly center-stage in the GOP contest, continued to hammer away at issues central to the party’s base, including opposition to the use of federal funds for Planned Parenthood. Mrs. Fiorina, who vaulted into second place in a CNN-ORC poll after her Wednesday night debate performance, called abortion a “type of butchery,” and said she continues “to dare anyone” to watch a controversial video that she contends depicts a fetus being kept alive for the harvest of its body parts. (Burton and Sussman, 9/20)

The Hill:
Fiorina Defends Planned Parenthood Comments
Republican presidential hopeful Carly Fiorina says she did not mischaracterize an undercover video tape that she said shows a live-birth abortion at Planned Parenthood, a statement that fact-checkers have called into question. “No, I don’t accept that at all,” Fiorina said on “Fox News Sunday.” “I’ve seen the footage. I find it amazing, actually, that all of these supposed fact-checkers in the mainstream media claim this doesn’t exist.” ... Fact-checkers say the video only describes the incident taking place, but does not actually show it. Fiorina also doubled-down on her calls to defund Planned Parenthood on Sunday. (Richardson, 9/20)

The Hill:
Christie Tells GOP To Defund Planned Parenthood
Congress should go ahead and vote to defund Planned Parenthood, even though Republicans know President Obama would veto the bill, New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie (R) said on Sunday. Christie, who is running for president for next year’s election, said it is important for the Republican majorities in the House and Senate to show voters that they do not want any federal funding to go to the health clinic federation, which provides abortions. (Cama, 9/20)

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